Home Again
Summary: Someone from Hermione's past returns. R/Hr.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, fun right?
A/N: Just to let you all know, they're at St. Mungo's. And if I screw this up, I apologize.
Chapter 8: Everything Will Be Alright
It smelled of death and alcohol wipes. He hated hospitals, for as long as he could remember. And the fact that his dad was in one didn't ease his hatred. Fred rubbed his hands over his face. He was trying to be strong. But seeing Mum practically fall apart, Hermione crying her eyes out and Ginny having a breakdown wasn't helping him.
He had done the routine; called in the cavalry. George was on his way, alone. Bill and Charlie were trying to get here as soon as they could, but with no promises. He had contacted Percy, but he didn't know if he would show up.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up. Angelina was there, the look in her usually sparkling eyes was of fear and sadness. He didn't say anything, and neither did she. Instead, Angelina held him as he cried.
Harry had swooped Ginny out of the waiting room and both of them were outside in the cold and snow.
"We should be getting back. Mum might come and have some news." Ginny said, heading for the door.
Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him. "We've only been gone a few minutes."
Ginny pulled away from Harry. "This is my father we're talking about Potter. I'm not just going to stand here and—"
"Marry me." Harry interrupted. Ginny's answer was a slap across the face. "You could have just said no." Harry mumbled, rubbing his cheek.
"Oh Harry, I'm sorry it's just…" Harry saw Ginny's lip tremble. "How can you ask me something like that at a time like this?"
Harry shrugged. "It just came out. I'm sorry Gin." He started to head for the door, to go back into the horrid hospital.
"Yes." Ginny said behind him.
Harry turned to face her. "What?"
"Yes." Ginny repeated. "I'll marry you." She paused. "But can we wait to tell everyone else? At least until we know how Dad is going to be."
Harry nodded and leaned his forehead against Ginny's. "Deal."
Hermione looked up at Ron, who still had his head in his hands. He hadn't looked up since Harry and Ginny left. She felt like he was mad at her. She stood up.
"Ron, do you want some coffee or something?" Hermione asked.
Ron didn't answer her. Hermione walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.
"What?" Ron asked, not looking up at her.
"I asked you a question." She replied softly, knowing that he was going through something awful.
Ron looked up at her and she saw a spark of anger flash in his eyes. "You don't have to get snotty." He snapped.
"I'm not. I'm just saying I asked you a question and I want an answer."
"And I want my dad to get better. We don't always get what we want."
Hermione put a hand on Ron's shoulder. "He's going to be fine."
Ron shoved her hand away. "How do you know?! I didn't know you got a medical degree, Granger."
Ron's vitriolic tone stung Hermione as she fought back another round of tears. "I know you're hurting Ron. But I'm hurting too. You're family is practically like my family. I love them just as much as you do.
"I was there when you were off fighting, Ron. I held your mom while she cried. I reassured your father every time he had a doubt. I kept everyone's mind off you being away by scheduling fun little trips to Diagon Alley and taking them out to dinner."
Ron smirked, a cold smirk. "Well aren't you just a saint?"
Hermione didn't hold back the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. "You selfish jackass! You're not the only one who's hurting you know! Get off your fucking pedestal and look around!" She shoved him roughly before storming away.
Harry and Ginny, who walked in just in time to hear Hermione go off on Ron, shared a look.
"You take your brother, I'll take Hermione." Harry said, pecking Ginny lightly on the lips before chasing after his best friend.
Ginny walked over and sat down beside her brother. "What happened?" She asked gently.
"She's right." Ron said quietly. "I'm being a selfish jackass."
"What happened?" Ginny repeated.
Ron explained to her the situation; how he had been a bastard while Hermione was only trying to help. By the end of his story, Ginny was shaking her head disappointedly.
"You wouldn't know it, but Hermione is like a daughter to mum and dad. And although I get jealous sometimes, I love her like an older sister. I would trade one of you guys for her any day." Ginny added jokingly.
Ron scoffed. "Yeah, and I treated her like dirt."
"Pfft." Ginny said, shaking her head again.
"What?" Ron asked.
"You treated her lower than dirt Ron. Now see, if she were just your friend, it would be like dirt. But since #1, she's totally in love with you (god only knows why), #2, you're hopelessly in love with her (and you totally don't deserve her) and #3, you guys are kinda together, then you treated her lower than dirt." Ginny explained.
Ron stared at his sister. "That didn't make me feel any better."
Ginny smiled slightly. "Wasn't supposed to. I'm not going to sugar coat everything for you Ron. With everything that's happened in my life, why should I?"
Harry found Hermione crying outside in the ice and snow. He bent down beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. "Hey Mione. Wanna tell me what happened?"
Hermione sniffled and looked up at Harry. "I was just trying to help and I understand Ron is hurting but he didn't have to be so cruel." Hermione, through her tears, told Harry what had happened.
Harry wiped away Hermione's tears and kissed her forehead. "You're right, he didn't have to be cruel. But he is hurting Hermione. He didn't mean to lash out."
"Doesn't mean I have to forgive him just yet." Hermione retorted.
Harry shook his head. "You two…" He trailed off, leaving Hermione wondering what he was going to say. "Come on, let's go back inside. It's cold out here!" Harry faked a shiver, making Hermione smile.
"Okay. Let's go back inside, you big baby." Hermione teased, standing up and offering a hand to Harry.
Harry grinned and grabbed Hermione's hand. She helped pull him to his feet and they walked back into the hospital.
They saw Mrs. Weasley hugging Ginny tight. Ron, Fred and Angelina looked like they were crying. Fearing the worst, Hermione grabbed Harry's arm.
"What's going on?" Harry asked.
"Dad's gonna be okay." Ginny sobbed, running over to Hermione.
Hermione scooped the girl into her arms. "That's great, Gin. I knew he would be." Hermione let go of Ginny and walked over toward Mrs. Weasley. "Will he be able to go home for Christmas?"
Mrs. Weasley nodded. "Yes. But he's forbidden to do any work."
"I don't know why." Mr. Weasley said as he was wheeled into the waiting room by a nurse. "I'm perfectly fine."
"That's why you're in a wheelchair, Dad. Cuz you're perfectly fine." George said sarcastically, walking over toward his family.
"George!" Everyone exclaimed.
Hermione watched as George was practically trampled by everyone. She laughed, happy to see everything was alright. Her eyes fell upon Ron. Well, almost alright.
A/N: CONTEST TIME! Okay, so I'm really sick of my penname. So the contest is (if you haven't guessed) for you all, the readers, to come up with a penname for me. The person that picks the one I like the best, wins a prize. I don't know what the prize is. I was kind of thinking to leave that up to the winner, as long as it's something I can do. Like, dedicate a chapter or a separate fic to them. Or they could get a chance to read a chapter before I post it. Something like that. The contest starts now and will end December 10th.